England Bowling Consultant Southee Unsure on The Ashes Availability

England's bowling consultant Tim Southee is still working through what his involvement will be during the upcoming Ashes contest in Australia.

The former New Zealand seamer is expected to be available for the first Test because of his involvement in the International League T20 tournament, which begins on December 2 in the United Arab Emirates.

Southee, 36, assumed a role as the English team's fast bowling consultant in the summer after taking 391 scalps in 107 Test matches for New Zealand.

Speaking as England's team for the first of three T20 matches against the Kiwis was announced, he stated of his availability: "We are still evaluating the situation at the moment.

"We will determine what happens over the next little while."

England pace icon Broad had declared the Australian team as their "weakest squad since 2010", but Southee was in little doubt over the anticipated challenge during the series, which starts on November 21.

"I don't think there's ever a bad Australian cricket team," Southee said.

"Our focus is squarely on our own objectives. In my opinion the caliber of [the English] side that's going out to Australia is brilliant.

"It ought to be an thrilling encounter, that series. Not just [are|do] fans from both nations looking forward to it, I believe the entire cricketing community is."

However, prior to the English team head to Perth for the opening Ashes Test, they take on New Zealand in Christchurch on this Saturday.

England's Playing XI v the Kiwis:

• Phil Salt

• Buttler

• Jacob Bethell

• Brook (captain)

• Banton

• Curran

• Cox

• Carse

• Dawson

• Adil Rashid

• Wood